A Community Clubs Together

Each year Stanwick Women’s Institute raises money for an agreed local charity or worthwhile cause. At last year’s AGM in October, it was suggested by one of their Committee members, Councillor Helen Howell, that funds were raised for a public access defi brillator and external weather proof case for the village. It was unanimously accepted and agreed upon by all members that a defi brillator would be benefi cial, so from then on the fundraising began.

The British Heart Foundation was approached and an application for a part-funded defi brillator was made and accepted. The application also included the supply of a training kit to enable the WI to run local classes on CPR. During the year, members of Stanwick WI have enthusiastically raised funds with various activities, including baking & selling cakes for the local school’s Christmas fair and summer fête, raffl es and hosting a Fashion Show. One of the WI committee, Teresa Puckle, raised over £300 by abseiling 127m down the inside of the National Lift Tower in Northampton, and Chairman Jean Mole contributed £200 from a charity dinner dance. Councillor Dudley Hughes was approached and delighted to be able to contribute towards the cost of the defi brillator for Stanwick through his empowerment funding.

The Shop @ Stanwick was seen as the best place to site a defi brillator and, when Vernon, one of the owners, was contacted, it was discovered that they had been collecting for Scott “Skip” Bradbury, a well-known and loved local village postman, who sadly died of a heart attack last December aged just 40. Money had been collected by Scott’s friends & family and their plan was for a bench in his memory and a defi brillator. It seemed right that both collections were put together to achieve the best outcome for the village and for Scott. The bench now has pride of place outside the Shop with the defi brillator to its side. There is also a commemorative plaque on the wall.

 
Stanwick Defibrillator